ClassicalDressage.com
P h o t o   A r c h i v e :   R i c h a r d   W ä t j e n
 Click on the thumbnail image to view a larger image.

Richard Wätjen on the Lipizzaner, Siglavy Andalusia, in the PassageRichard Wätjen on the Lipizzaner, Siglavy Andalusia, in the Passage
Throughness! The horse rounds himself into the rider's seat, which allows the high hand carriage with the lightest rein contact. The tall rider uses mostly his abdominal and back muscles as well as his thighs to guide his relatively small horse. Impulsion, straightness, relaxation, and collection characterize this perfect passage ridden by one of teh twentieth century's greatest Masters.

Richard Wätjen on Flinker Kerl in the Medium TrotRichard Wätjen on Flinker Kerl in the Medium Trot
Typical for Richard Wätjen is the deep, supple, and seemingly comfortable seat. Both thighs are turned in as much as possible, both knees and heels are as low as possible, while the abdominal, back, and shoulder muscles determine the distribution of teh weight. Remarkable is the lightness, which finds its expression in the slack reins that are held in the left hand alone. It is obvious to the observer that the rider is controlling the horse so completely with his seat and legs that the reins have become superfluous.

Richard Wätjen on Malteser in the Canter Half-PassRichard Wätjen on Malteser in the Canter Half-Pass
 In this frontal view of the canter half-pass the horse's pure lateral bend from the ears to the tail is especially visible. Very interesting is also the rider's seat. He is stepping more into the inside stirrup to let the horse follow his weight, however, without lifting up his outside seat bone. His inside hip and outside shoulder are turned forward in order to obtainthe bend.

Richard Wätjen on Malteser in the Canter Half-PassRichard Wätjen on Malteser in the Canter Half-Pass



Richard Wätjen on Flinker Kerl in the Trot Half-PassRichard Wätjen on Flinker Kerl in the Trot Half-Pass
 In this picture one can see very nicely how the rider is moving the horse's haunches sideways by a rotation of his own pelvis. The general rule that the rider's hips and shoulders must be parallel to the horse's hips and shoulders works both ways. If the rider turns his hips or shoulders, the horse will follow and turn his.

Richard Wätjen on the black Trakehner Gelding, Christian, in the Piaffe (1957)Richard Wätjen on the black Trakehner Gelding, Christian, in the Piaffe (1957)


Richard Wätjen on the Trakehner Gelding, Burgsdorff, in the PiaffeRichard Wätjen on the Trakehner Gelding, Burgsdorff, in the Piaffe



Richard Wätjen on the Trakehner Gelding, Burgsdorff, in the PassageRichard Wätjen on the Trakehner Gelding, Burgsdorff, in the Passage
This picture illustrates very clearly the use of teh rider's shoulder muscles in producing the upper body's lever effect to place more weight onto the haunches. Prudent weight management like this greatly reduces the necessity for rein aids which can be reduced to a mere "catch and release," since the half-halts can be given with the legs and torso rather than the hands. The result is this beautiful springy passage full of impulsion and collection.

Richard Wätjen on the Trakehner Gelding, Burgsdorff, in the PassageRichard Wätjen on the Trakehner Gelding, Burgsdorff, in the Passage


Richard Wätjen on the Lipizzaner, Pluto Kerka, in the LevadeRichard Wätjen on the Lipizzaner, Pluto Kerka, in the Levade


Richard Wätjen on the Trakehner Gelding, Burgsdorff, in the PiaffeRichard Wätjen on the Trakehner Gelding, Burgsdorff, in the Piaffe


Richard Wätjen on the Olympic horse, Malteser, in the Extended Trot (1964)Richard Wätjen on the Olympic horse, Malteser, in the Extended Trot (1964)



Richard Wätjen on the English Thoroughbred Gelding, Feuerhorn xx, in the CanterRichard Wätjen on the English Thoroughbred Gelding, Feuerhorn xx, in the Canter



Richard Wätjen on the Trakehner Gelding, Burgsdorff, in the Medium TrotRichard Wätjen on the Trakehner Gelding, Burgsdorff, in the Medium Trot



Richard Wätjen on the Trakehner Gelding, Burgsdorff, in the Canter PirouetteRichard Wätjen on the Trakehner Gelding, Burgsdorff, in the Canter Pirouette
 The rider is leading his well-prepared horse into the pirouete by a rotation of his hips and shoulders in combination with the necessary inclination of his upper body, while his legs anchor the weight and seat aids and act as the "clutch" between engine and transmission. Notice the very light three-in-one rein contact.

Richard Wätjen on the Trakehner Gelding, Burgsdorff, in the Canter PirouetteRichard Wätjen on the Trakehner Gelding, Burgsdorff, in the Canter Pirouette



Richard Wätjen on the Trakehner Gelding, Burgsdorff, and Colonel Felix Bürkner on the English Thoroughbred Gelding, Caracalla xx, in a Pas de DeuxRichard Wätjen on the Trakehner Gelding, Burgsdorff, and Colonel Felix Bürkner on the English Thoroughbred Gelding, Caracalla xx, in a Pas de Deux




Quote by Kenneth R. Beittel

Home     The Classical Store
What's New?    Question & Answer Forum    Critique & Compare Forum
Newsletters and Discussion Lists    Articles    Quotes of the Masters    Photos of the Masters
Calendar    Clinics Board    Links Index    Awards    Contact Us    Link To Us    Site Map
Ritter Dressage

ClassicalDressage.com is a non-profit, education-oriented website dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the art of Classical Dressage. ClassicalDressage.com is a production of Ritter Dressage, Shana Young, and Dr. Thomas Ritter.
©1999-2000 ClassicalDressage.com     All Rights Reserved     Privacy Statement
Site design by Shana. Last Update: August 27, 2000



FastCounter by LinkExchange




Click Here!